- Former Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Ajayi Okasanmi, has revealed that the state does not own a single Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), leaving a significant gap in its ability to respond to high-level security threats.
- Okasanmi advocated for a shift toward data-driven, community-collaborative policing to effectively dismantle criminal networks operating within the state.
- The revelations were made during an event where Dr. Alabi Tajudeen formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 Kwara State governorship election under the APC banner.
A former spokesperson for the Kwara State Police Command, Ajayi Okasanmi, has raised a major alarm regarding the state’s security preparedness, disclosing a critical lack of modern hardware necessary to fight insurgency.
Eko Hot Blog reports that speaking on Monday in Ilorin, Okasanmi noted that the Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) seen during high-profile incidents, such as the 2018 Offa robbery and the recent Eruku church attack, were not properties of the state government.
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This lack of owned, heavy-duty security assets, he argued, significantly hampers the ability of local forces to respond swiftly and decisively to violent crimes.
Beyond hardware, Okasanmi emphasized that the core of modern security lies in “intelligence-led policing.” He described this as a system where data collection and public collaboration drive law enforcement actions.
He lamented that while Nigerian police officers often receive international acclaim during foreign missions, they are hindered at home by poor welfare, inadequate equipment, and a lack of public trusts.
“Many people see police officers as expendable,” he remarked, urging the government to prioritize investment in training and logistics to bridge this performance gap.
The former PPRO also challenged the “culture of silence” within communities, noting that bandits and kidnappers are not ghosts but individuals who live among the people.
He criticized tribal and religious shielding of criminals and called for a more consistent justice system.
Okasanmi expressed particular concern over the policy of rehabilitating violent offenders, suggesting that reintegrating those responsible for serious crimes into society without a rigorous re-examination could pose long-term risks to public safety.
The security discourse took place alongside the 63rd birthday celebration of Dr. Alabi Tajudeen, who used the platform to formally declare his candidacy for the 2027 Kwara governorship.
Tajudeen, an APC aspirant, echoed the need for institutional building, stating that Kwara’s fertile land and intellectual potential require responsible leadership to translate into actual prosperity.
As the 2027 political cycle begins to take shape, the state’s security architecture remains a central point of debate for both current stakeholders and those seeking to lead the state.
